Three players the Ohio State football team need to pursue in the transfer portal

The Ohio State football program is still in roster evaluation mode following the Spring Game. They are evaluating the tape from that game and figuring out who is going to be getting playing time as the roster is currently constructed. Surprisingly, the Buckeyes haven't had a lot of guys enter the transfer portal.

Just two guys have left the Buckeyes this Spring. Because of that, they haven't been very active in the transfer portal. They haven't looked to grab any guys right now. That doesn't mean they shouldn't or won't. There are guys that can definitely help this team right away.

There are three guys that I have my eye on who could help the Buckeyes. Two of these guys have a chance to fight for significant playing time while one of them would likely be a backup from the very start. He would still be a really nice future piece for this Ohio State football team to have.

Let's start with someone who is extremely talented but would likely be a backup this season.

1. Damien Martinez

Ohio State already went into the transfer portal after the season ended and got Quinshon Judkins as a running back stud. He is going to be part of a two-headed monster with TreVeyon Henderson. The Buckeyes might have the best one-two punch in the league.

Despite having two freshmen perform well in the Spring Game, they don't have any experience behind those two backs. If either of them gets hurt, they could be in some trouble. That's why it wouldn't be a bad idea to go into the portal to get a guy with some experience.

Damien Martinez is the best version of that. The running back from Oregon State ran for 1,185 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Beavers last season. He obviously put those numbers up while he was a starter, so he wouldn't put anywhere near those numbers being a third-string back.

That's what would make the pitch to get him to come to Columbus so hard. He would be a third-string back after being a high-level starter. He probably wouldn't even be the starter in 2025 once Henderson leaves after next year. That job belongs to Judkins.

Martinez landing in Columbus is a pipe dream. He would be the most overqualified third-string running back ever now that Dallan Hayden is gone. The next player on this list is more realistic to land and could be a starter as soon as next season.